Method and apparatus for coiling washer strips



Oct. 4, 1955 M. H. NIELSEN 2,719,563

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WASHER STRIPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1950 53 INVENTbR.

Oct. 4, 1955 M. H. NIELSEN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WASHER STRIPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1950 Oct. 4, 1955 M. H. NIELSEN 2,719,563

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WASHER STRIPS 5 Sheets$heet 3 Filed Aug. 3, 1950 54 I INVENTOR.

Oct. 4, 1955 M. H. NIELSEN 2,719,563

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WASHER STRIPS Filed Aug. 5, 1950 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Willi/m WV l 5 INVENTOR.

W 97 ;ZZ 17 116%)? 59 J56 M %m/% Oct. 4, 1955 M. ,H. NIELSEN 2,719,563

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WASHER STRIPS Filed Aug. 3, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 92' INVENTOR.

United States Patent IVIETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WASHER STRIPS Moritz H. Nieisen, Chicago, 111., assignor to lliinois Tool Works, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application August 3, 1950, Serial No. 177,537

26 Claims. (Cl. 153-645) This invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming helical rolls of washers, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for forming helical rolls of integrally connected annuli such as washers.

In helically coiling strips of integrally. attached washers the individual washers in the formed'convolutions tend to be canted out of the planes of the convolutions, that is, the inner edge of the washers in the convolutions tend to be disposed higher or lower than the outer edge of the washers in the convolutions. Coils or rolls of washers formed by placing a plurality of canted convolutions in superimposed relation tend to be unstable. The canting of the convolutions produces forces with components directed outwardly from the roll which tend to spread and collapse the roll. In addition, the washers in adjacent canted convolutions do not nest perfectly thereby contributing to the instability of the roll and also producing a larger roll for a given number of washers contained therein as compared with a roll formed from plane convolutions in which the washers of adjacent convolutions properly nest.

It has now been found that the above problems and disadvantages can be overcome by properly working and bending the strips before and during the formation of coils therefrom.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for working and bending a strip of integrally attached objects, such as washers, whereby to form a roll or coil which possesses structural stability.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for working and bending a strip of integrally attached washers so that there is formed a coil in which the individual washers of each convolution lie substantially in the plane of the convolution and nest with the corresponding washers in the adjacent convolutions.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for working and bending a strip of integrally attached washers whereby to produce a roll in which the washers are aligned and nest with each other whereby to provide a roll of minimum size for a given number of washers contained therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for simultaneously working and bending a plurality of strips of integrally attached washers to form a plurality of helical rolls of washers from the strips.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts throughout Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view showing an apparatus for producing a plurality of strips of integrally attached washers and forming the strips into helical rolls in accordance with the principles and method of the present invention; 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a con- 2,719,563 Patented Oct. 4, 1955 volution made in accordance with the principles of the present invention from a strip of integrally attached lock washers;

Figure 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section illustrating the manner in which the washers of superimposed convolutions align and nest;

Figure 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the junction between adjacent washers in a convolution formed according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the winding mechanism shown in Figure 1 as seen in the directions of the arrows along the line 5-5;

Figure 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the winding mechanism shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing another part of the winding mechanism;

Figure 8 is a view in vertical section, substantially as seen in the directions of the arrows along the lines 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in cross section, of the structure shown in Figure 6;

Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the forming guides shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the forming guide shown in Figure 10 substantially as seen in the directions of the line 11-11 of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view, with certain parts in cross section, of the forming guide shown in Figures 10 and 11;

Figure 13 is an enlarged view in perspective of two of the forming guides shown in Figure 9;

Figure 14 is an enlarged view in vertical section of one of the forming guides shown in Figure 9, substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 14-14;

Figure 15 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 15-15 of Figure 9;

Figure 16 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 16-16 of Figure 9;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 9 but illustrating an apparatus for forming convolutions from a strip of integrally attached washers, each washer of the strip having a frusto-conical body portion;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view in cross section taken along the line 18-18 of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary view in cross section taken along the line 19-19 of Figure 17;

Figure 20 is an enlarged view in vertical section as seen in the directions of the arrows along the lines 20-20 of Figure 17;

Figure 21 is an enlarged view in vertical section, similar to Figure 3, and illustrating the manner in which washers having frusto-conical body portions nest with each other when convolutions are stacked one upon another;

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 1 and showing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 23 is an enlarged partial side view of the apparatus of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a further enlarged view showing a control apparatus used in this form of the invention; and

Figure 25 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control circuit used in this form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown diagrammatically an apparatus for forming a plurality of juxtaposed strips 30, 32, 34, and 36, of integrally attached washers from a strip of washer stock, and apparatus for forming the washer strips into helical rolls. The apparatus for forming the strips of washers to 36 comprises a stamping machine 38, including a bed 40, and a movable die block 42. Dies (not shown) mounted on block 42 serve to form the strips to 36 from a strip of washer stock (not shown) when the block 42 is lowered. Preferably the strips are formed from a single strip of washer stock, one of the dies serving to sever the stock in directions longitudinally of the stock to form the plurality of washer strips.

The formed washer strips are fed from the stamping machine to a roll or coil forming apparatus, generally designated by the numeral 44. It includes a plurality of winding mechanisms 46, 48, and 52 which form the strips 30, 32, 34 and 36, respectively, into helical rolls.

The stamping machine 40 operates intermittently and as a result the washer strips 30 to 36 coming from machine 40 are alternately stopped, moved, and stopped again whereby to produce a discontinuous motion of the strips. The winding mechanisms 46, 48, 50 and 52 are constructed and adapted to operate in a continuous manner and, accordingly, a loop is formed in the washer strips in the portion of the strips disposed between the stamping machine 38 and the coiling apparatus 44. The loop is kept under tension by means of a weighted roller 54 which lies upon and contacts the strips 30 to 36. This arrangement of the loop and tensioning roller 54 continuously feeds the strips at a uniform rate to the winding mechanism 48 to 52. Means is provided for rotatably mounting roll 54 in the form of an arm 56 which is in turn pivotally mounted as at 58 so that the roller 54 can move upwardly as the coils are formed on the winding mechanisms 46 to 52.

There is shown in Figures 2 through 4 washer strips and portions thereof which have been formed by one of the mechanisms 46 to 52. In Figure 2 there is shown a portion of a helical convolution 60 which has been formed from one of the washer strips such as strip 30. The convolution 60 includes a plurality of washers 62 which have an annular body portion 64 from which radially extend a plurality of twisted locking teeth 66. The teeth of washer 62 which are aligned longitudinally of the strip are joined as at 68 to form an integral strip.

The convolution 60 is formed from a straight washer strip, such as the strip 30, by bending the strip laterally in the plane of the strip and downwardly out of the plane of the strip. The bending of the strip occurs at the junction 68 between the teeth 66 of adjacent washers. Referring to Figure 4, the points and 72 indicate the centers of adjacent washers in convolution 60. The center of the junction 68 between the adjacent washers normally lies along the line adjoining points 70 and 72 before the washer strip is bent. After the washer strip has been bent, the center of junction 68 moves to the point indicated. Bending the washer strip laterally in its plane clongates the edge 74 along the junction 68. It is this elongation of the edge 74 which tends to produce canting of the convolutions. The material at the edge '74 resists deformation particularly in directions laterally of the strip, that is, the outer margin of the strip tends to retain its original shape and length. Since the strip resists deformation least when bent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the strip due to the fact that the smallest amount of material must be deformed to accomplish such bending, the convolution tends to move to a canted position whereby this form of bending is achieved in part. The winding mechanism to be described hereinafter serves to work and bend the junction 68 in such a manner as to adequately elongate the edge 74 to eliminate canting in the convolution v60.

The radially extending edges of teeth 66 of washer 62 are twisted out of the plane of the body 64 as at 78 and 80 to form work piece engaging edges which give the desired locking action. The twisting "of the teeth 66 in combination with subsequent hardening makes the connections between the teeth relatively frangible whereby the washers can be separated from the strip by suitable twisting and bending operations. The teeth 66, and particularly the locking edges 78 and 80, nest one with another when the washers 62 of superimposed convolutions are aligned in a manner achieved by the present invention. The alignment and the nesting of lock washers in a roll or coil formed by the methods and apparatus of the present invention is best shown in Figure 3. It is to be noted that the bodies 64 of the superimposed lock washers align perfectly and the associated teeth also align and nest. A roll in which the washers are disposed, as shown in Figure 3, is stable and has a minimum size for a given number of washers contained there.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 5, the structure and operation of the roll forming apparatus 44 and particularly the winding mechanism 46 will be described. Forming apparatus 44 includes base 82 on which are mounted the winding mechanisms 46, 48, 50 and 52 and their associated drive mechanism. The structure of winding mechanism 46 will be described in detail but it is to be understood that the structure of winding mechanisms 46, 48, 50 and 52 is identical.

Winding mechanism 46 includes a winding drum or mandrel 84 rotatably mounted upon base 82 and a guiding,-supporting or forming ring 86. Winding drum 84 is cylindrical in shape and has a circular cross section. One end of drum 84 is closed by plate 88 and extending outwardly from the side of drum 84 is a circumferentially extending flange 90 having a width slightly greater than the diameter of the largest washer to be wound on drum 84. Referring to Figure 9, it will be seen that the pe riphery of drum 84 has formed therein a plurality of grooves or recesses 92 which extend from flange 90 to the other end of drum 84 and which are disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of drum 84.

Means is provided for rotatably mounting drum 84 on base 82 in the form of a vertically extending shaft 94 which is disposed within and mounted on a block 96 and a gear housing 98. Block 96 is attached to the lower side of base 82 in any suitable manner and block 96 and housing 98 have aligned apertures therethrough which receive a bolt 100. One end of bolt 100 is threaded and is received by threads surrounding an aperture in blocl: 96. Gear housing 98 defines a chamber in which are disposed suitable connections and gearing for driving shaft 94. Shaft 94 has an enlargement 102 formed thereon, a second enlargement 104 disposed adjacent enlargement 102 and providing a shoulder therebetween, and a square section 106. Means is provided for supporting shaft 94 and its associated parts in the form of a ball bearing including an outer bearing race 108, an inner race 110, and a plurality of ball bearings 112 disposed therebetween. Outer race 108 is supported by a shoulder formed in block 96 and the inner race is disposed below the shoulder formed between enlargements 102 and 104 whereby to support shaft 94. The ball bearing mounting allows shaft 94 to rotate freely with respect to block 96 and housing 98 while supporting a relatively heavy load.

Plate 88 on drum 84 is recessed to provide a square hole to receive the square portion 106. The upper end of shaft '94 is threaded as at 114 and this end extends through an aperture in plate 88. A nut 116 is provided to screw on end 114 whereby to clamp drum 84 to shaft '94 against the square portion 106. It will be seen that such a structure will rotatably support drum 84 above the surface of base 82 and will permit free rotation of the drum.

Means is provided for rotating shaft 94 in the form of a gear 118 and a worm gear 120. Gear 118 is circular in shape and .is mounted concentrically upon shaft 94 and is attached thereto by a set screw 122. A thrust bearing assembly 124 is disposed between the lower side of gear 118 and housing 98 to provide for substantially frictionless engagement therebetween. The lowermost end of shaft 94 receives a collar 126 which serves to hold all of the parts assembled on shaft 94.

The periphery of gear 118 is provided with a plurality of teeth which are adapted to cooperatively engage a worm formed on the worm gear 120. It will be seen that as worm gear 120 is rotated the gear 118, shaft 94 and drum 84 will be rotated. Gear 120 is mounted upon a shaft 128 which is journalled in the housing 98. Shaft 128 also carries worm gears 130, 132, and 134 which serve to drive the winding mechanisms 48, 50, and 52 re spectively when shaft 128 is rotated. I

Means is provided for rotating shaft 128 from the prime mover which drives stamping machine 40 whereby to coordinate the operation of the two machines. A shaft 136 is attached to the prime mover of stamping machine 40 and a shaft 138 interconnects shafts 128 and 136 through a pair of universal joints 140 and 142. As the stamping machine 40 is operated, shaft 136 will be driven and in turn will drive shaft 128 and its associated winding mechanisms.

Referring now more particularly to the winding mechanism, it will be seen that the forming ring 86 has an inner diameter slightly greater than theexternal diameter of drum 84. A pair of parallel surfaces 144 and 145 are provided on ring 86, the planes of these surfaces being disposed normally with respect to the longitudinally extending axis of the drum 84.

As is best shown in Figures 6 and 9, there is mounted on ring 86 a plurality of guiding, forming, and bending members which serve to bend the strip 30 of integrally attached washers into the desired shape. More specifically, the forming members serve to straighten and flatten strip 30 and to bend the straightened strip laterally in theplane of the strip and downwardly out of the plane of the strip to form a plurality of interconnected helical convolutions. Ring 86 in cooperation with drum 84, then guides the formed convolutions into superimposed relationship with the Washers in adjacent convolutions aligned and nesting to form a roll of washers and ring 86 lies upon the uppermost convolutions to hold the convolutions in proper relationship.

Washer strip 30 first contacts a support guide 146 which is mounted on ring 86 in any suitablemanner such as by the fasteners 148. Support guide 146 serves to guide the washer strip 30 above the edge of the upper surface 144 of ring 86. As strip 30 leaves the support guide 146 it enters a flattening guide member, generally indicated by the numeral 150, comprising a lower guide plate 152 and an upper guide plate 154, which are suitably spaced apart as by a washer 156. The lower guide plate 152 is mounted upon a mounting plate 158 which serves to support the flattening guide 150 and to attach guide 150 to ring 86. A bolt 160 passes through the guide plates 152154 and washer 156 and makes threaded connection with mounting plate 158. Mounting plate 158 has an aperture in one end thereofwhich receives a bolt 162 which serves to attach plate 158 to the upper surface 144 of ring 86. There is formed on the outermost side of mounting plate 58 a downwardly extending flange 164, having an elongated slot 166 formed therein and extending in a direction parallel to the upper surface of ring 86. A screw 168 passes through slot 166 and is threadedly re: ceived in the body of ring 86. A spring 170 under compression is disposed between the head of screw 168 and a washer 172 is positioned adjacent flange 164 whereby to resiliently urge the mounting plate 158 toward ring 86.

As the washers in strip 30 leave the support guide 146, the washers may not be disposed in the plane of the strip but may have their edges tilted out of the plane. To insure that the misaligned washers of strip 30 pass smoothly between the plates 152154, these plates are recessed at 174 and 176 to provide surfaces which will orient the misaligned washers in a position lying substantially in the plane of the washer strip. When the strip leaves the flattening guide 150, all the washers should be substantially aligned and lying in the plane of the strip.

There is mounted on the end of plate 158, adjacent arm 164, a rotatable, conical, forming guide, generally designated by the numeral 178, which comprises a lower guide 6 member 180 and an upper guide member 182, both guide members 180 and 182 being circular in shape. Guide member 180 has formed on the upper side thereof a frustoconical surface 184, surface 184 being shaped as a portion of a right cone, the axis of the cone being disposed parallel to the axis of the drum 84. Surface 184 is inclined at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees with respect to the surface of ring 86. The upper guide member 182 is recessed in a manner complementary to the shape of surface 184 to provide a guide slot 186 between members 18ti-182. Slot 186 has a depth slightly greater than the greatest over-all thickness of a washer to be engaged by the slot, and the width of the slot is slightly less than the diameter of the washer to be engaged therein. A pair of screws 188 serve to unite the guide members 180-482 to form the conical guide 178. Guide 17 8 is rotatably attached to mounting plate 158 by means of a post 190 which passes through an aperture in the guide, a washer 192, and a screw 194 serving to retain the guide 178 on post 190. Y

The conical guide 178 is positioned adjacent the point of tangency between the strip 30 and the periphery of drum 84. The compression in spring 170 is such as to urge strip 30 into contact With the recesses in drum 84 and it is this contact between washers 30 and recesses 92 which drives or propels the strip 30 through the coiling and winding mechanism. In addition to aiding in driving this strip 30, the conical guide 178 turns the washers upwardly out of the plane of the strip, as shown in Figure ll, and then downwardly again into the plane of the strip. In addition, guide 178 successively rotates the washers in a direction transversely of the strip about an axis extending substantially longitudinally of the strip whereby to lift the outer margin and thereby stretch and work this margin. These motions imparted to the strip by guide 178 serve to flex and work the junction 68 between adjacent washers in the washer strip and particularly serve to work the outer margin of the washer strip. The flattening guide 150 cooperates with the conical guide 178 during the flexing and bending of the washer strip by holding the incoming portion of the strip substantially in the plane of the strip while the portion of the strip engaged by guide 178 is bent out of the plane of the strip.

Mounted adjacent the mounting plate 158 on ring 86 is a second mounting plate 196 having a depending flange 198. Means is provided to attach plate 196 to ring 86 in the form of a screw 200. A screw 204, see Figure 14, passes through an aperture in flange 198 of plate 196 and into the ring 86. Flange 198 has a slot 202 formed therein through which passes the screw 204. The threaded end of screw 204 is received in a threaded aperture in ring 86, and a spring 206 is disposed between the head of screw 204 and the flange 198 resiliently to urge plate 196 toward the drum 84.

Mounted near the end of plate 196, adjacent guide 178, is a rotatable bending guide, generally designated by the numeral 208. Bending guide 208 has a slot 210 formed on the periphery thereof which has a depth slightly greater than the maximum over-all height of a washer to be engaged thereby. The width of the slot 210 is slightly less than the diameter of the washer to be disposed therein. Means is provided for rotatably mounting guide 208 on plate 196 in the form of a post 212 fixedly attached to plate 196 and which extends through an aperture formed in guide 208. A bolt 214, in conjunction with a washer 216, serves to hold guide 208 in position on post 212.

The slot 210 is so positioned as to place the washer engaged thereby in a plane substantially normal to the axis of drum 84. Bending guide 208, in conjunction with the conical guide 178, gives the first radial bending to the incoming washer strip 30. More specifically, bending guide 208 urges the washers towards the drum into recesses 92 after the washers have been driven past the point of tangency. Spring 206 urges the bending guide 208 toward drum 84, but as may be best seen in Figure 9, the re- 7 siliency of the strip 30 tends to hold the strip and the guide spaced away from the periphery of drum 84.

Mounted on the end of plate 196 opposite that on which is mounted guide 208 is a radial guide, generally designated by the numeral 218. Guide 218 includes a base 220 whose longitudinal axis is disposed perpendicularly with respect'to the circumference of drum 84, the end of base 220 disposed toward drum 84 having an upstanding convexly curved member 222 formed thereon. Member 222 is spaced a short distance away from the periphery of drum 84 and serves to space the bent strip 30 away from the periphery of the drum 84 whereby to remove the washers from their associated recesses 92. A pair of horizontal guide plates 224 and 225 are mounted on member 222 and are disposed to guide the strip in a horizontal manner. A circular member 228 is positioned outwardly from the outer edge of plates 224-225 and serves to insure that the strip lies between these plates. As may be best seen in Figure 15, a slot 230 is formed in base 220 and extends in a direction radially from the drum 84. A bolt 232 passes through an aperture in member 228 and through slot 230; the free end of bolt 232 is threadedly received in plate 196. The outer end of base 220 has an upstanding handle portion 234 formed thereon which serves to aid in properly positioning base 220 and its associated parts. When bolt 232 is tightened, the position of the plate and its parts is fixed with respect to mounting plate 196 and ring 86.

Mounted adjacent the second mounting plate 196 is a third mounting plate 236 which is pivotally attached to ring 86 by means of a screw 238. The end of plate 236 disposed opposite screw 238 is curved upwardly, in a manner best shown in Figure 16, so that the plate 236 is inclined at an angle of substantially fifteen degrees with the horizontal. A depending arm 240 is formed integral with this last described portion 236 and has an aperture which receives bolt 242. The free threaded end of bolt 242 is received in a threaded aperture in ring 86 and a spring 244, under compression, is disposed between arm 240 and ring 86. Spring 244 holds plate 236 resiliently in a predetermined position, which position can be adjusted by means of screw 242.

Mounted on the inclined portion of plate 236 is a final twisting and bending guide 246 which is circular in shape and which has a circumferentially extending slot 248 formed therein. Slot 248 has a depth slightly greater than the maximum over-all thickness of a washer, and the plane of slot 248 is positioned parallel to the inclined portion of plate 236. A post 250 attached to plate 236 in cooperation with a bolt 252 and a Washer 253 serves rotatably to attach guide 246 to plate 236.

The final twisting and bending guide 246 in cooperation with member 222 serves to give the final bend to the washer strip. The amount of bend given to the washer strip is slightly greater than that necessary to make the strip conform to the periphery of drum 84, i. e., the strip is bent to a smaller radius than the radius of drum 84. Due to the natural resiliency of the material from which the strip is formed, the strip springs back to a position such that the formed strip has a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of drum 84.

Guide 246 in cooperation with the plates 224-225 bends the individual washers about an axis lying in the plane of the strip or extending longitudinally of the strip whereby to bend the washers out of the plane of the strip and thereby again twist and flex the connection between adjacent washers. In addition, guide 246 serves to again position the washers in the groove 92 formed in drum 84. It is to be noted that the washers after they leave guide 246, are still slightly spaced away from the periphery of drum 84.

There is formed in ring 86 at a position adjacent the point of attachment of plate 236 an inclined slot 254 formed on the inner circumference of ring 86 and extending from the upper surface 144 of ring 86 to the lower surface 145 of the ring. As may be best seen in Figure 8, slot 254 has a width slightly greater than the washer strip 30 and'each portion of the slot is disposed perpendicularly to the surface of drum 84. Slot 254 serves to bend the individual washers back into a common plane and, in addition, serves to bend the strip downwardly out of the plane of the strip to form a helical section. The helical section of the strip is then guided down through slot 254 to the lower surface 146 where the in dividual washers are aligned and nested with the washers in the uppermost convolution of the formed roll 256, see Figure 5. Alignment of Washers in superimposed convolutions is insured since each washer is positioned in the recesses 92 in the periphery of drum 84.

Formed in the lower surface 146 of ring 86 is a laterally extending groove 264, see Figures 7 and 8. Groove 264 extends from the inner diameter of ring 86 toward the outer diameter for a distance substantially equal to the width of slot 254. The depth of groove 264 is preferably equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the washer strip being coiled.

Means is provided to hold ring 86 stationary with re spect to base 82 when drum 84 is rotated in the form of a rod 258 suitably attached to ring 86 as by screws 260. Mounted on base 82 is an upstanding post 262 which is positioned to contact rod 258 and thereby stop rotation of ring 86 when drum 84 is rotated.

After the formed helical convolutions have been stacked in superimposed relationship with the corresponding washers in adjacent convolutions aligned and nested, the bottom surface of ring 86 nests upon the uppermost convolutions and holds the convolutions in proper assembled relation.

The operation of the winding mechanism is as follows. A formed washer strip 30 is fed manually under the tension roller 54 through the guide members, down through slot 254 in ring 86, and placed in groove 264. Groove 264 in cooperation with the vertically extending grooves 92 in drum 94 form means for gripping the washer strip and thereby serve to hold the loose end of the washer strip in a coiled position. Rotation of drum 84 is then begun and the washer strip 30 is fed through the guide members Where it is bent into proper shape, down through slot 254 to form superimposed convolutions. As the number of convolutions increases, ring 86 will be lifted and when a desired height of coil 256 is obtained, operation is ceased. Driving of the washer strip 30 through the guide members is accomplished by contact of the washers between the conical guide 178 and the drum 84 at the point of tangency between the drum and the washer strip. The entire washer strip between conical guide 178 and the formed coil 256 is substantially free of tension.

It has been found that the combination of bending. twisting, and forming operations which are accomplished by the guide members described above produces a con volution in which the individual washers are disposed in the plane of the convolution, i. e., none of the washers are canted out of the plane of the convolution. It has been found that relieving tension in the washer strip after contact with the conoid guide 178 also aids in producing a convolution in which all of the washers are disposed in the plane of the convolution.

The roll of washers so formed is stable and the aligned Washers nest properly to provide a roll of minimum size for a given number of washers.

There is shown in Figure 21 another form of washer which may be formed into a roll using the method and apparatus of the present invention. The washers, generally designated by the numerals 266, include a frustoconical body portion 268 having an outwardly disposed flange 270 formed at the base thereof. A plurality of twisted teeth 272 are disposed around the periphery of flange 270 and aligned teethof adjacent washers in a washer strip are interconnectedto form an integral strip. It will be seenfrom- Figure 21, that the conical bodies 268 and the teeth 272 nest when the washers are aligned properly as is the case when the apparatus is used to form the roll of washers.

The apparatus for forming a helical roll of washers from a strip of washers of the type shown in Figure 21 is substantially the same as the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 5 through 16. In the apparatus shown in Figures 17-20, the guide plates 152 and 154 are spaced farther apart to accommodate the conical bodies 268 and the grooves 186 and 210 in guides 178 and 208 respectively are made deeper to accommodate the increased height of the washers.

The final bending and twisting guide 246 of the apparatus shown in Figure 9 is replaced by a guide which is constructed and operates in the manner set forth above for guide 178. The second guide 178 is mounted on a plate 274 which is pivotally attached to ring 86 by a screw 276. Formed on one end of plate 274 is a depending arm 278 having an aperture therein which is adapted to receive a screw 280. The threaded end of screw 280 is disposed in a threaded aperture in ring 86 and a spring 282 disposed between the head of screw 280 and fiange 278 urges the mounting plate 274 and its associated guide 178 toward the winding drum 84.

The apparatus shown in Figures 17-20 is effective to form a plurality of helical convolutions in which the individual washers lie substantially in the plane of the convolutions without any canting. When these convolutions are stacked in aligned and superimposed relationship, the washers in adjacent convolutions nest to form a stable and compact roll of washers.

Referring now to Figures 22 to 25, there is shown a modified form of a coiling mechanism. This form of coiling mechanism is particularly adapted to be portable so that the coiling mechanism may be positioned beside a punch press 38 to coil the strips being formed by the punch press. If it is desired to form the strips on another punch press, the coiling mechanism 44 can be quickly and easily moved to the other punch press and placed in operative position easily and rapidly.

The coiling mechanism 44 is provided with a frame 284 mounted upon a plurality of rollers 286. The rollers 286 facilitate the movement of the coiling mechanism 44 from one position to another. Means is provided to fixedly position frame 284 with respect to the supporting surface 288 after the coiling mechanism is in operative position in the form of a plurality of jacks 290. Preferably one of the jacks 290 is positioned at each corner of the coiling mechanism.

To render the coiling mechanism 44 completely mobile v a motor 292 is mounted on frame 284 so that no connection need be made between the punch press 38 and the individual coiling mechanisms. Motor 292 is preferably of the synchronous type and operatively drives the shaft 128 through chain 294.

As has been fully pointed out above, the punch press 38 operates in an intermittent manner, that is, the dies mounted on block 42 are lowered while the strips are held stationary, then raised, the strip moved forward, and the block 42 then lowered. The coiling mechanisms, however, are arranged to operate in a continuous manner and therefore means is provided to convert the intermittent motion of the strips leaving the punch press 38 into a smooth continuous movement. The means for uniformly feeding the strips includes the provision of a loop in the washer strips 30 to 34 in those portions of the strips disposed between punch press 38 and the coiling mechanisms. The weighted roller 54 resting upon the strips in the vicinity of these loops insures a smooth and uniform movement of the washer strips to the winding mechanisms.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 1, the coiling mechanisms and the punch press were driven by the same prime mover and therefore synchronization was simply achieved. However, in the form of the invention shown in Figures 22 through separate prime movers are used to drive the punch press 38 and the coiling mechanism 44. Accordingly there is a possibility that the coiling mechanisms will be driven at a faster rate than the punch press whereby to draw the washer strips tight and eventually break the strips. Preferably both the motor driving the punch press 38 and the motor 292 are synchronous and therefore only small variations in speed will occur.

Means is provided to insure that sufficient slack is maintained in the loop of the washer strips between press 38 and coiling mechanism 44 whereby to prevent breaking of the washer strips. The arm 56 supporting roller 54 is pivotally mounted as at 296 on a bracket 298 which is in turn mounted on the ring 86 of coiling mechanism 46. Mounted on arm 56 between intermittent roll 54 and pivot point 296 is a mercury switch 300, switch 300 being held in position by a clamping member 302. The switch contacts 304 and 306 are positioned at the end of the switch disposed toward roller 54 so that when the arm 56 is in the position shown in Figures 23 and 24, the body of mercury 308 interconnects contacts 304 and 306. When switch 300 is closed the motor 292 is energized and the coiling mechanisms are driven at full speed. If the slack in the washer strips decreases sufiiciently to raise arm 56 to the position shown in solid lines in Figures 23 and 24, the switch 300 will be opened. Opening switch 300 deenergizes motor 292 and stops rotation of the winding mechanisms. With the winding drums stationary, the punch press 38 soon produces sufficient slack to lower arm 56 to the position shown in dotted lines, whereby to begin rotation of the winding drums. By this arrangement a proper amount of slack is maintained in the loops of the washer strips disposed between the press 38 and the winding mechanisms.

By referring to the wiring diagram shown in Figure 25, it will be seen that the switch 300 is preferably placed in circuit with a motor control mechanism 310 which in turn controls the operation of motor 292. A suitable source of alternating current is supplied at points 312 and 314 to energize the motor control mechanism 310 and the motor 292.

There is also shown in Figures 22 and 23 a modified form of guide members which positively guide the washer strips to 34 to the winding mechanisms 46 to 52. More specifically, the roller 54 has a plurality of guide members 316 formed thereon which separate the washer strips and individually and positively guide the strips. Also maintained on ring 86 of the mechanism 46 is a second guide member 318provided with a single guide disc 320 on the outer end thereof. The other mechanisms 48, 50 and 52 are similarly provided with guide members 322, 324 and 326 which are mounted upon the rings 86.

A modified form of post 328 is provided to prevent rotation of the rings 86 when the drums 84 are rotated. Post 328 is in the form of a U-shaped channel, the rods 258 attached to rings 86 being adapted to fit within the channel of posts 328. This construction positively prevents rotation of the rings 86 at all times.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. The method of forming a roll of annuli from a strip of integrally attached annuli comprising bending the annuli out of the plane of the strip along an axis extending longitudinally of the strip and in and through the integral attachments and then into the plane of the'strip, bending said strip. laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions having the same diameters, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relation.

2. The method of forming a roll of annuli from a strip of integrally attached annuli comprising bending the annuli of the strip out of the plane of the strip about an axis extending longitudinally of the strip, bending the annuli again into the plane of the strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions having the same diameters, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relationship.

3. A method of forming a coil of annuli from a strip of integrally attached annuli comprising bending the annuli out of the plane of the strip about an axis disposed substantially longitudinally of the strip, bending the annuli again into the plane of the strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions having the same diameters, and placing said convolutions in superimposed relationship with the corresponding annuli in the convolutions positioned in alignment substantially axially of the coil.

4. The method of forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising feeding said strip to a plurality of bending stations, at different ones of said stations, bending the washers of said strip out of the plane of the strip along an axis extending longitudinally of the strip and in and through the integral attachments and then into the plane of the strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions, and placing said convolutions in superimposed relationship with the corresponding washers of the convolutions aligned axially of the roll.

5. The method of forming a roll from a strip of integrally connected washers comprising feeding said strip to a plurality of bending stations, at different ones of said stations, bending the washers of said strip out of the plane of the strip about a common axis lying in the strip and then back into the plane of the strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions, bending said convolutions out of the plane of said strip to form a plurality of helical convolutions and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relationship.

6. The method of forming a roll of washers from a strip of integrally connected washers comprising feeding said strip to a plurality of bending stations, at different ones of said stations, bending the washers of said strip out of the plane of the strip and about a common axis lying in the plane of the strip and bending said washers again into the plane of said strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions and bending the washers of said strip a second time out of the plane of the strip about a common axis lying in the plane of the strip, and again bending the washers into the plane of the strip, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relationship.

7. The method of forming a roll of washers from a strip of integrally connected washers comprising feeding said strip to a plurality of bending stations, at different ones of said stations, bending the washers of said strip out of the plane of the strip and about an axis lying in the plane of the strip and extending substantially longitudinally thereof and bending said washers again into the plane of said strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions, bending the washers of said strip a second time out of the plane of the strip about an axis lying in the plane of the strip and again into the plane of the strip, bending said convolutions out of the plane of said strip to form a plurality of helical convolutions, and stacking said helical convolutions in superimposed relationship.

8. Themethod of forming a roll of washers from a strip of integrally attached lock washers comprising feeding said strip longitudinally, bending the washers of said strip out of the plane of said strip about axes lying in the plane of said strip and extending substantially longitudinally thereof and bending said Washers again into the plane of said strip, bending said strip laterally to form a plurality of convolutions, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relationship with the washers of adjacent convolutions aligned and nested.

9. The method of forming a coil from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising feeding said strip longitudinally to a plurality of bending stations, at the first station successively bending the washers out of the plane of said strip and about axes lying in said strip substantially longitudinally thereof and bending said washers again into the plane of said strip, at another station bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relationship.

10. The method of forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising bending the washers out of the plane of said strip about an axis extending substantially longitudinally thereof and again into the plane of said strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to a radius less than the radius of the roll to be formed to produce a plurality of convolutions, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relationship.

11. The method of forming a coil from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising bending the Washers out of the plane of said strip about an axis extending substantially longitudinally of said strip and then into the plane of said strip, bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to a radius less than the radius of the formed roll to form a plurality of convolutions, bending said convolutions out of the plane thereof to form helical convolutions, and stacking said helical convolutions in superimposed relation.

12. The method of forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached lock washers comprising feeding said strip longitudinally to a plurality of bending stations, at the first bending station successively bending the washers out of the plane of said strip along an axis extending longitudinally of the strip and in and through the integral attachments and then into the plane of said strip, at the next station bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions, at the next station bending said convolutions longitudinally out of the plane of the strip to form helical convolutions, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relation with the corresponding washers of the convolutions aligned and nested.

13. The method of forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising feeding said strip longitudinally to a plurality of bending stations, at the first of said bending stations bending the washers out of the plane of said strip along an axis extending longitudinally of the strip and in and through the integral attachments and then into the plane of said strip, at the next station bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions, at the next station bending the washers of said convolutions out of the plane thereof laterally of said strip through the integral attachments and then into the plane thereof, and stacking said convolutions in superimposed relation.

14. The method of forming a coil from a strip of integrally attached Washers comprising feeding said strip longitudinally to a plurality of bending stations, at the first of said bending stations bending the washers out of the plane of the strip along an axis extending longitudinally of the strip and in and through the integral attachments and then into the plane of the strip, at the next bending station bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to a radius less than the radius of the roll to be formed to produce a plurality of convolutions, at the next station bending said washers out of the plane laterally of said strip through the integral attachments and then into the plane of the convolution, at the next station bending said convolutions out of the plane thereof longitudinally of said strip to form helical convolutions, and stacking said helical convolutions in superimposed relationship with the corresponding washers aligned substantially axially of the roll.

15'. Arr apparatus for forming a roll of annuli from a strip of integrally attached annuli comprising means for bending the annuli out of the plane of the strip along an axis extending longitudinally of the strip and in and through the integral attachments and then into the plane of the strip, means for bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions having the same diameters, means for placing convolutions in superimposed relation with the corresponding annuli in the convolutions in alignment, and means for operating all of said means in timed relation.

16. An apparatus for forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached annuli comprising means for bending the annuli out of the plane of the strip about an axis lying in the plane of the-strip substantially longitudinally thereof and then into the plane of the strip, means for bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions having the same diameters, means for stacking the convolutions in superimposed relation with the corresponding annuli in the convolutions aligned substantially axially of the roll, and means for operating all of said means in timed relation.

17. An apparatus for producing a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising means for feeding said strip longitudinally, means for bending the washers of the strip out of the plane of the strip laterally of said strip about an axis extending substantially longitudinally of the strip and then into the plane of the strip, means for bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to form a plurality of convolutions, means for placing said convolutions in superimposed relationship, and means for operating all of said means in timed relation.

18. An apparatus for forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising means for bending the washers out of the plane of the strip about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the strip and then into the plane of the strip, means for bending said strip laterally in the plane of its surface to form a plurality of convolutions, means for bending said convolutions out of the plane thereof longitudinally of said strip to form helical convolutions, means for placing said helical convolutions in superimposed relation, and means for operating all of said means in timed relation.

19. An apparatus for forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising means for bending the washers out of the plane of the strip about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the strip and again into the plane of the strip, means for bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to a radius less than the radius of the formed roll to produce a plurality of convolutions, means for stacking said convolutions in superimposed relation, and means for operating all of said means in timed relation.

20. An apparatus for forming a coil from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising means for twisting the washers out of the plane of said strip laterally thereof and into the plane of said strip, and means for bending said strip laterally in the plane thereof to a radius less than the radius of the formed roll to produce a plurality of convolutions, means for bending said convolutions out of the plane thereof to form helical convolutions, means for positioning said convolutions in superimposed relationship with the corresponding washers aligned, and means for operating all of said means in timed relation.

21. An apparatus for coiling a strip of integrally attached washers comprising a winding drum, a ring surrounding said drum, means for causing relative rotation between said ring and said drum, a bending guide mounted adjacent said drum and adapted to bend said strip out of the plane thereof generally along an axis extending substantially longitudinally of said strip and then into the plane thereof, a second bending guide mounted adjacent said drum and adapted to bend said strip substantially edgewise about said winding drum into con-- volutions having the same diameters, and guide means for guiding said convolutions to a position below said ring whereby to wind said strip about said drum with the ring pressing against the adjacent formed convolution of the strip.

22. An apparatus for forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising a winding drum, a ring surrounding said drum and mounted for movement axially with respect to the drum, means for causing relative rotation between said ring and said drum, means mounted on said ring adjacent said drum and adapted to bend the washers out of the plane of said strip substantially along an axis extending generally longitudinally of said strip and then into the .plane of said strip, a bending guide mounted on said ring adjacent said drum and adapted to cooperate with said drum to bend the strip laterally in the plane of the strip, and means for bending the bent portion of said strip downwardly and out of the plane of the strip to form helical convolutions disposed about said winding drum below said ring, said ring being weighted and pressing down against the formed convolutions to hold the convolutions in juxtaposed relation.

23. An apparatus for forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising a winding drum, a ring surrounding said drum and mounted for movement axially of the drum, means for causing relative rotation between said ring and said drum, a bending guide mounted on said ring adjacent said drum and adapted to bend said strip laterally in the plane thereof to a radius less than the radius of the drum to produce a plurality of convolutions, a slot formed in said ring for bending said strip downwardly out of the plane of the strip to form helical convolutions, said slot being adapted to guide the bent portion of said strip to a position below the ring and about the drum to form a roll, the ring being adapted to lie against the uppermost convolution of said roll to hold the convolutions in position.

24. An apparatus for forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached washers comprising a winding drum, said winding drum having a plurality of recesses formed on the outer periphery and extending axially thereof, a bending guide mounted adjacent said drum and adapted to bend the washers of said strip out of the plane of the strip and then into the plane of the strip, bending means positioned adjacent said drum and adapted in cooperation with said drum to bend the strip laterally in the plane thereof and to place each washer of the strip in one of said recesses, means mounted adjacent said drum for bending said strip out of the plane of the strip to form helical convolutions disposed about said drum with the washers of the convolutions positioned in said recesses, and holding means positioned adjacent said drum and mounted for axial movement therealong, said holding means lying against the uppermost convolution disposed about said drum and holding the convolutions in assembled relationship to form a roll.

25. An apparatus for forming a plurality of rolls from a plurality of strips of integrally attached washers comprising a base, a' plurality of winding drums mounted upon said base, means for feeding a washer strip to each of said drums, means mounted adjacent said drums for bending said strips out of the plane of each strip substantially about axes extending generally longitudinally of said strips and then into the plane of the strip, bending means mounted adjacent said drums and adapted to bend said strips laterally in the planes thereof to form a plurality of convolutions disposed about each of said drums, and means for holding said convolutions about said drums in superimposed relation.

26. Apparatus for forming a roll from a strip of integrally attached Washers comprising a winding drum having a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses uniformly spaced about the periphery of the drum and adapted to receive the washers, a roller having a peripheral slot therein with said slot disposed at an acute angle relative to the axis of said strip for twisting the washers of said strip out of the plane of the strip substantially about the longitudinal axis of the strip, a guide adjacent said roller for guiding a washer strip into the slot of said roller, a second roller positioned adjacent the first mentioned roller and adjacent the periphery of said drum for twisting the washers back into the plane of the strip, a third roller positioned adjacent the periphery of said drum beyond the second roller and having a peripheral slot therein arranged at an acute angle relative to the axis of the drum for again twisting the washers from the plane of the strip substantially about the longitudinal axis of the strip, a guide positioned between the second and third rollers for guiding the washer strip into the slot of the third roller, the three rollers further acting to bend the washers laterally of the strip about said drum, a guide positioned adjacent the periphery of the drum and beyond the third roller for bending the washers from the plane of the strip to form helical convolutions encircling said drum with the washers positioned in said recesses, and holding means substantially encircling said drum and bearing against the last formed convolution for holding the convolutions in a roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Woodward Oct. 24, Edge June 7, Aiken Nov. 17, Glading Oct. 10, Stevens July 3, Aiken Oct. 23, Smith Sept. 14, Lockwood May 17, Blanchard Oct. 12, Paulus May 12, Hauf June 27, Carlson July 25, Mansur Aug. 14, Karmazin Mar. 15, Drake Sept. 10, Elser Mar. 24, Poupitch June 20, Mapes Mar. 6,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Feb. 28,

Germany Nov. 1, 

